Slave Raiders

[Diatenshi]

The air crackled with electricity as lightning streaked across the turbulent sky, briefly illuminating the vast expanse of the raging ocean. Waves rose like angry titans, crashing against the hull of a large brig. At the helm, a grizzled veteran of the sea eyed his quarry revealed in the brief yet frequent flashes of lightning.

In the midst of the tempest's fury, Kaisui held his perilous pursuit, tracking a slaver ship cutting through the tumultuous waves. The tropical storm unleashed its wrath upon the sea, but the giant pirate, a seasoned captain stared ahead with unwavering determination as held fast to the wheel of his ship.
His resolve remained unbroken, fueled by a sense of justice that burned hotter than the fiercest of storms. An odd thing for a pirate some may say, but a pirate more than any advocated a life of freedom.

Amidst the chaos, Ryoshi's crew worked tirelessly, securing sails, battening down hatches, and ensuring the ship remained seaworthy. A hulking humanoid crabman barked orders in a chittering voice to the crew guiding them and instructing them as the situation changed with each gust of wind and crash of waves. A nimble lass swung between the mast repeatedly checking the ties braving the fierce gales and deadly lightning. The Captain eyed his newest recruit, the young privateer from Iron entrusted to him by his friend Shio.

"Look alive, our query lies ahead. Death ta any man that denies the freedom uv another! We ar Black Wake, Masters uv the seas! Lets teach 'em a lesson for hauling forbidden cargo through our waters!" His voice bellowed across the ship over the roaring waves and pealing thunder. His face furious as he drawled his bamboo cutlass and raised it into the air with a cheer. "Ta Stealin, Cheatin an' Drinkin lads! lets send 'em down to Ol' Captn Bones!"

[Izanagi]

It had been 12 years since Ichiro had first joined up with Kaisui and Umiko, no longer a ragtag group of teenagers they had each come into their own. Rarely did the first-mate sail with his captain any longer as he had become a captain of his own crew, leading the Black Wake’s merchant faction, mixing legal trade with a healthy dose of smuggling. But on occasions such as this when extra muscle was needed, Ichiro was there to answer the call. He had become quite powerful over the years, training under various experts and quietly building his influence and repertoire as a member of Black Wake, Chishiki, Heart Empire and Setsuzoku and their newly formed Crescent Coalition. If there was ever a man who had connections and a way into any country, it was Ichiro.

Despite rarely setting off with the crew, Ichiro had a habit of mysteriously arriving aboard during the middle of night. He had become known for coming and going without a trace and many a sailor spoke of him with hushed whispers as someone not to be trifled with, some believing him more a spirit of some drowned sailor than a living breathing man.

Instead of bellowing orders, the man with eyes like ice and lightning simply observed and embraced the ocean spray against his beard. He wore a dark blue tricorn against thick black hair that hung down nearly to his shoulders. At his hip his reliable sword. Ringed fingers stroked his beard as he reveled in watching his old crewmates go about their work. “Aye Captain!” he bellowed out, approaching the helm with a confident swagger. As usual Kaisui towered over the average statured man, so that Ichiro barely came up to the man’s naval.

[PopeOfPuns]

The slight young samurai yawned, his calm demeanor at odds with his screaming senses. Yet the more stressed he was the more everything came into focus. It had been 5 long grueling months with the king fisher. He has learned more than he thought he ever could in such a short time, trained harder than any drill he had done in service, and now this was to be his first real battle. He was not afraid of dying, as he knew even the pirates find honor in protecting their own. His body was ready, toned by the trials he had faced. His mind was far from prepared as he has yet to kill a man. So his thoughts swirled, much like the maelstrom with one line at the forefront what honor is there in the sale of your fellow man? Of women and children? He did his best to banish these and stood fast by the captain his hand straying close to the hilt of his blade for some small comfort. Cracking a smile at his captain's cry he replies just loud enough to be heard over the waves “I mean no disrespect sir, but I fight simply for peace. Peace in our time”. He gives a small bow as Ichiro approached. “It is both a joy and an honor to put a face to our legendary first mate. I was beginning to think Umiko was just snackish getting me to leave out extra nightly meals for her but I pray the meals were to your liking I am Shindo Kuma, your new cook”